"Old" software running under XP

[Judith]

My old computer runs under Win98SE. My new one, which I just started
building, will run under XP.

I want to take the hard drive from the old one and install it. The new
drive is 160 GB and will be the primary. But the old drive, 45 GB, still
contains usable things, like Office 2000, Quicken, Easy CD Creator, of
various vintages. The manuals say that they must be used under Win 98 "or
newer," so that would seem to include XP. Would this actually all work out,
or should I reinstall the software on the new harddrive. And, in terms of
Office 2000, am I likely to run into a problem with product/confirmation
keys by putting it on the new drive?

Thanks --Judy

 

[Ghostrider]

My old computer runs under Win98SE. My new one, which I just started
building, will run under XP.

I want to take the hard drive from the old one and install it. The new
drive is 160 GB and will be the primary. But the old drive, 45 GB, still
contains usable things, like Office 2000, Quicken, Easy CD Creator, of
various vintages. The manuals say that they must be used under Win 98 "or
newer," so that would seem to include XP. Would this actually all work out,
or should I reinstall the software on the new harddrive. And, in terms of
Office 2000, am I likely to run into a problem with product/confirmation
keys by putting it on the new drive?

Most software written for Windows, regardless of version,
will need to be re-installed into the new OS. The reason for
this is the Windows Registry. In other words, one just cannot
copy, as in the olden days of DOS, an application from one HD
to the other and expect it to execute. In addition, older apps
might need updated files and drivers to function with newer OS's,
such as Windows XP. Overall, there is some effort involved, and
some trial-and-error and one should first check with vender. For
example, there will probably be no issues with Office 2000; as
for Easy CD Creator, it might need to have in-version upgrades.

 

[Tim Slattery]

My old computer runs under Win98SE. My new one, which I just started
building, will run under XP.

I want to take the hard drive from the old one and install it. The new
drive is 160 GB and will be the primary. But the old drive, 45 GB, still
contains usable things, like Office 2000, Quicken, Easy CD Creator, of
various vintages. The manuals say that they must be used under Win 98 "or
newer," so that would seem to include XP.
Definitely.

Would this actually all work out,
or should I reinstall the software on the new harddrive.

You'll have to reinstall it. The Office installation routine makes
*many, many* registry entries, without which Office will not work
correctly.

And, in terms of
Office 2000, am I likely to run into a problem with product/confirmation
keys by putting it on the new drive?

I wouldn't be surprised if you had to use the phone number to activate
the new installation, and tell them what you've done. But they don't
keep the activation records on-line indefinitely, and you may have no
problem at all.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

My old computer runs under Win98SE. My new one, which I just
started
building, will run under XP.

I want to take the hard drive from the old one and install it.
The
new drive is 160 GB and will be the primary. But the old drive,
45
GB, still contains usable things, like Office 2000, Quicken,
Easy CD
Creator, of various vintages. The manuals say that they must
be used
under Win 98 "or newer," so that would seem to include XP.

Yes. Most (but not all) software of Windows 98 vintage will run
under Windows XP without a problem.

Run the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp.
It will check your installed applications for compatibity with
Windows XP. (It will also check your hardware, but in this case,
you can ignore ehat it tells you about hardware).

Would
this actually all work out, or should I reinstall the software
on the
new harddrive.

It's not a matter of "should." You will *have to* reinstall the
software on the new system. It doesn't have to be on the new hard
drive, but it will have to be reinstalled under the operating
system it will run under. Unlike data, installed applications
can't just be moved from one system to another. That's because
applications have many references and entries pointing to where
there are located, in the registry and elsewhere, as well as
supporting files in Windows folders. Take away those references
and files (which you automatically do if you move the application
to another computer) and the application won't run.

There's an occasional exception for a very small self-contained
application, but that happens rarely enough that you can ignore
it.

And, in terms of Office 2000, am I likely to run into
a problem with product/confirmation keys by putting it on the
new
drive?

No.

 

[Bob Knowlden]

Judy,

You probably won't be able to run applications from the old disk if you
install it as a slave in the new system. Most Windows applications install
entries in the Windows Registry, and won't run unless they are set up by an
installer.

I believe that utilities exist to move applications, but I've never tried
one, and I don't know whether they work.

It would probably be safest to re-install the applications on the new PC. I
hope that you have installation media.

Office 2000 runs fine under XP. I'm not sure what you're referring to under
product keys. I believe that Microsoft didn't introduce product activation
for Office until Office XP. (Office 2003 also requires activation.) You
might have a problem if the version you have is a BIOS locked one that only
installs on a machine from a given maker (such as Dell).

XP requires EasyCD Creator 5.01 or later. I believe that ECDC 4.X or earlier
will not run properly under XP.

I suppose that it may be possible to install the old 45 GB drive in the new
system, and to install XP as an upgrade on it. Then, clone the 45 GB drive
onto the new 160 GB one. It doesn't strike me as a good idea, though.

HTH.

Bob Knowlden

Address may be scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

You probably won't be able to run applications from the old
disk if
you install it as a slave in the new system. Most Windows
applications install entries in the Windows Registry, and won't
run
unless they are set up by an installer.

I believe that utilities exist to move applications,

Yes, but these work to move applications within the same
computer. They search out the registry entries and change them as
necessary. They'll do nothing for applications moved to a new
computer, since the registry entries won't be there to change.

but I've never
tried one, and I don't know whether they work.

I've used them with limited success. They're far from perfect, in
my experience. But since they're not applicable here, it doesn't
matter.

It would probably be safest to re-install the applications on
the new
PC. I hope that you have installation media.

Yes, but more than just "safest." It's necessary.

 

[Gordon]

Tim Slattery wrote:
||
||| And, in terms of
||| Office 2000, am I likely to run into a problem with
||| product/confirmation keys by putting it on the new drive?
||
|| I wouldn't be surprised if you had to use the phone number to
|| activate the new installation, and tell them what you've done. But
|| they don't keep the activation records on-line indefinitely, and you
|| may have no problem at all.

There is no "activation" with office 2000 is there?

 

[David Candy]

Depends on what country you come from. Office 2000 in 6 countries trialed product activation, like a big beta test (that you had to pay $1200 to join).
"Product Activation was piloted in Office 2000 in its 1999 release in six countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), New Zealand and the United States. This has resulted in over 7 million successful activation transactions. Microsoft received significant feedback from customers who have used product activation and has incorporated that feedback into the latest version of Product Activation being used in Windows XP, Office XP suites and applications, and Office 2003 System products." (http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx)

Though when Office was released it was only 4, I believe Office 2000 with certain service packs added the other two countries (as the US did not require activation on 2000 Gold).

 

[Gordon]

David Candy wrote:
| Depends on what country you come from. Office 2000 in 6 countries
| trialed product activation, like a big beta test (that you had to pay
| $1200 to join).
| "Product Activation was piloted in Office 2000 in its 1999 release in
| six countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong
| SAR), New Zealand and the United States. This has resulted in over 7
| million successful activation transactions. Microsoft received
| significant feedback from customers who have used product activation
| and has incorporated that feedback into the latest version of Product
| Activation being used in Windows XP, Office XP suites and
| applications, and Office 2003 System products."
| (http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx)
|
| Though when Office was released it was only 4, I believe Office 2000
| with certain service packs added the other two countries (as the US
| did not require activation on 2000 Gold).
|

Thanks for the info.

 

[Judith]

I remember having to call a number and getting some code number before I
could install my copy. Can't recall th exact procedure; too long ago. --
Judy

"David Candy" <.> wrote in message
Depends on what country you come from. Office 2000 in 6 countries trialed
product activation, like a big beta test (that you had to pay $1200 to
join).
"Product Activation was piloted in Office 2000 in its 1999 release in six
countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), New
Zealand and the United States. This has resulted in over 7 million
successful activation transactions. Microsoft received significant feedback
from customers who have used product activation and has incorporated that
feedback into the latest version of Product Activation being used in Windows
XP, Office XP suites and applications, and Office 2003 System products."
(http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx)

Though when Office was released it was only 4, I believe Office 2000 with
certain service packs added the other two countries (as the US did not
require activation on 2000 Gold).